Every time I open this thread I say a little prayer. So far it's working...

5mn_Major

05-15-2014, 11:28 AM

RPI hockey blog Without a Peer's preview of Minnesota http://www.withoutapeer.com/2014/05/know-your-enemy-minnesota.html.

I have no connection with WaP except as a reader.

As glowing as that sounds...it doesn't include this years additions. Its hard to compare Bristedt, but by all indications he should be a whale of a player. And Glover and Collins should be two dominating defenseman and top draft picks. There aren't many, but these guys should be exciting additions.

vizoroo

05-15-2014, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by Slap Shot

You're saying 4 professional franchises and a Div I University is common for an area of about 2 million? You remove further doubt with every keystroke.

Sounds like Denver to me.:D

goldy_331

05-16-2014, 07:02 AM

Sounds like Denver to me.:D

No, Denver has skiing.

Koho

05-18-2014, 09:21 PM

What do people think of this?
http://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/385259?referrer_id=753608http://

D2D

05-19-2014, 02:06 PM

What do people think of this?
http://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/385259?referrer_id=753608http://

Agree 100% with what he says, with one caveat: most kids who play high school hockey do need more ice time and/or some additional skill development because of the relatively short high school hockey season. The Elite league, plus shooting pucks/stickhandling, is enough for many and still allows players to do different sports in the off-season.

Koho

05-19-2014, 07:30 PM

Agree 100% with what he says, with one caveat: most kids who play high school hockey do need more ice time and/or some additional skill development because of the relatively short high school hockey season. The Elite league, plus shooting pucks/stickhandling, is enough for many and still allows players to do different sports in the off-season.

I think it applies even more to younger kids. I have friends with 12 year old daughter playing multiple summer teams who hardly get a break from hockey, and sons 15 yrs old who play year round with little time for other sports. I liked Chrissy Wendels quote in the Bernstein book about her parents taking away her skates from April to Fall, so she had to play sports like softball and others, which looking back, she attributed to making her a more rounded athlete. She did alright for herself.

And even for HS players, I agree some supplemental hockey is good, like finishing the season in Juniors or other options, but year round isn't necessary or necessarily even healthy. And there seem to be a lot that play year round.

HarleyMC

05-22-2014, 10:49 PM

The 2014-15 Golden Gopher hockey schedule (http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/sched/minn-m-hockey-sched.html) is out early this year.

Schedule subject to change. Game times and television schedule will be announced at a later date.
*One of this two-game series will be played on Friday while the other will be played on Thursday or Saturday.
**Series will be played Thursday/Friday, Friday/Saturday or Saturday Sunday.

vizoroo

05-22-2014, 11:02 PM

No, Denver has skiing.

And that too

D2D

05-24-2014, 11:46 AM

Gophers men's hockey team not hurt by early departures yet

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/260497901.html

HarleyMC

05-28-2014, 10:22 PM

Gophers men's hockey team not hurt by early departures yet

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/260497901.html

Mike Reilly is definitely returning next season (http://www.gophersports.com/blog/2014/05/mike-reilly-to-return-for-junior-season.html).

So, first he writes 'Reilly was the only one considered a risk for early depature'.. Then writes 'Rau, Skjei and Wilcox are all risks, but Wilcox has already said he is returning'.

From another article earlier, there was a quote from Skjei about hoping everyone would return, which i took to mean he wasn't likely leaving. In the same article, there was a quote from Rau about needing to make a decision. So, does that mean Rau is the only one who still has some potential to leave, albeit, betting money is on him staying?

D2D

05-31-2014, 10:28 AM

Koho, although I can't vouch for its accuracy, there is some good discussion on this in the HighSchoolHockeyForums, under College Hockey ('GOPHERS 2014-2015' thread). In it Gopher Blog, who claims to have inside information, maintains that "Rau is still seriously debating his choice."

Hammy

05-31-2014, 02:50 PM

Since I am "Gopher Blog" over on the HS board...

Yes, Rau is still debating his decision. This info coming from the same source that told me about Reilly returning the day before they announced it. In fact, he told me both things simultaneously. Obviously the Reilly info was accurate so I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of the Rau info.

I'd also point out that Rau would be a returning captain. Given that fact... If Rau had already made a definitive decision to return as captain again, he'd likely get a press release just like Reilly did (whose status as a returning 1st team all-American was worthy of a press release).

Stauber1

05-31-2014, 02:55 PM

Koho, although I can't vouch for its accuracy, there is some good discussion on this in the HighSchoolHockeyForums, under College Hockey ('GOPHERS 2014-2015' thread). In it Gopher Blog, who claims to have inside information, maintains that "Rau is still seriously debating his choice."

I have to interpret that to mean that Florida has offered him everything they are allowed to offer. Maybe I'm being a bit too romantic about it, but I don't think Rau would consider leaving early unless it was a full pot.

That's a bit surprising to me. I have a hard time seeing him as an NHL-caliber player next season. Don't get me wrong, I love the guy and think he is a very valuable player to have, but pretty much everything that makes him good comes from attitude, fortitude and will. He's not that great a skater. He's not that great a passer. He's not that great a stickhandler. He's not that great a shooter. He's small. If I were an NHL scout I would have a hard time justifying making a push for him.

This post probably comes off a bit harsh, I don't mean it that way. Like I said, I have a ton of respect for Rau as a player. I just don't see any of the tangible elements in his game that NHL clubs are looking for in prospects.

No matter what happens I wish the kid well, and won't be surprised if he eventually is able to have some success in the NHL some day simply because of his grit, compete and attitude.

Koho

05-31-2014, 04:06 PM

I have to interpret that to mean that Florida has offered him everything they are allowed to offer. Maybe I'm being a bit too romantic about it, but I don't think Rau would consider leaving early unless it was a full pot.

That's a bit surprising to me. I have a hard time seeing him as an NHL-caliber player next season. Don't get me wrong, I love the guy and think he is a very valuable player to have, but pretty much everything that makes him good comes from attitude, fortitude and will. He's not that great a skater. He's not that great a passer. He's not that great a stickhandler. He's not that great a shooter. He's small. If I were an NHL scout I would have a hard time justifying making a push for him.

This post probably comes off a bit harsh, I don't mean it that way. Like I said, I have a ton of respect for Rau as a player. I just don't see any of the tangible elements in his game that NHL clubs are looking for in prospects.

No matter what happens I wish the kid well, and won't be surprised if he eventually is able to have some success in the NHL some day simply because of his grit, compete and attitude.

I agree that I don't see Rau stepping in as a major contributor in the NHL, much less even playing there without more development. He makes a great college player and has NHL potential, but I wouldn't bet on him being a regular next season. However, I also didn't think Haula would rise as fast as he did. And there are plenty of players who looked ready for the NHL but never did as well as expected. The point is, teams take chances on more players than will end up playing because some will excel more than some expected and others will fall short. Rau has the attitude to be a position player in the NHL in a league full of guys who were all stars at one time.

However, I hope he takes into consideration that next year's team could be something special. If they were to win an NC with all his friends on the team, that will be a memory more valuable than anything he can buy. I hope he returns, as he would be a big part of what should be a very, very good team. And more importantly, I want to see another NC for the Gophers, and my wishes should take precedent over any of his life goals.

ScoobyDoo

06-02-2014, 12:56 PM

Rau already has the greatest Minnesota hockey memory of all. Winning the High School Hockey Tournament. I could see where since he already graduated he would seriously consider moving on.